What's right with us all - sharing our greatest stengths and what is valuable about each of us

[renmon]

Hi everyone,

It's clear from this forum that we are all struggling with our own battle against mental illness and life in general. I find it difficult to read some of the messages on here at times and would love to share what is going right in our lives despite all the pain we are in. I hope that this would also help us all to remember that life is ever changing and what feels unbearable at one time will not last forever. Please join me in sharing what you really like and love about yourself and the wins you are having in your life. Even if you don't want to share, you might read this and have a very small mental shift away from the dark thoughts and feelings you have.

What's right in my life? I have two amazing children who are incredibly bright and emotionally resilient beyond their years, thanks a lot to sharing my experiences with them and them seeing you can live well despite feeling terrible at times. My friends and family take strength from seeing me get through the difficult periods of battling my depression and anxiety. Somehow I can always maintain a sense of humour through anything, including laughing at myself when I'm really unwell. Sometimes I have to give in to the way I feel, but I never give up and that is a huge achievement. Today I cleaned my house and got my children to school on time and I ate breakfast and lunch. So today was a big win for me. Every day I manage to continue breathing is a win for me.

 I look forward to hearing what is wonderful about each of you and what happened in your day that felt right. Even if it is something as small as you felt a beautiful breeze or a ray of sunshine or you decided to live another day.

 Wishing you all loving kindness.

[Jo3]

Hi Renmon

Great post!!

For me it is my 3 beautiful adult children (22, 21, 18) with our youngest almost completing his last year of high school (exams starting this week). They are all individual but they always bring me lots of joy and love.

I work part time and for me this is my sanity, staying busy and chatting with customers. And knowing that sometimes my issues are not as terrible as others I hear about. I have started a hobby in making lavender eye pillows. I love where I live, hubby and I go for walks down the beach, seeing the water and hearing the waves while surrounding the beach is the mountains - it's magical, i wouldn't live anywhere else.

Getting up each day and doing something small, even if it's watering a few plants is a positive step. And also for me coming home and seeing my beautiful kelpie and hearing her cry when she sees me - that is precious.

Jo

[Mel__F]

Hi Renmon what a lovely post and one day I hope I can post something I like about me,,,, don't see that happening soon,,, so nice to see such good possative ness , keep posting please you guys make my day

[white knight]

Hi Renmon, great thread.

I just finished writing a thread on Recovery about changing ones attitude from bad to good. Then I clicked onto this thread and it is exactly what I've been talking about.

Here you are, struggling to get out of bed, get the kids off to school etc and yet you had the fortitude to write this happy post.

I have my motorcycle I tinker with daily. When I ride it I dont think about anything else. Best therapy.  And lately my wife and I have been plenting a large vegie garden.  The duck fly into our dam. The plovers from next door swoop us - protecting their eggs. They lay them on the ground. Kangaroos are on the golf course over the back fence. Koalas are loud.

It's beaut.

[renmon]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. It can be so difficult to find that one glimmer of hope when you are feeling unwell. I'm still struggling at the moment but just taking each day as it comes and giving what I've got available to make it a better experience than the day before. Today I went to the dentist for the first time in two years. I haven't been able to go before due to my anxiety but I finally did it. Not very exciting but still it's another accomplishment in overcoming my symptoms. I'll take my dog for a walk soon and then I'll take my son to sport after school. These activities are normal and most people don't think twice about doing them but for me they are so difficult. When I'm unwell, being in the world is scary for me. So I breathe and tell myself every time I push that little bit harder against the resistance of my anxiety, it makes it easier. I then have a point in time I can refer back to when I feel I'm unable to keep going. I remember the last time I was unwell and that I was able to walk the dog, look after the kids, get to my appointments on time, look after myself etc and it's like a little kickstart to my brain to get out of the trap of thinking I can't do anything. In saying this, I also remind myself about when I was really kind to myself on the days I needed to be. Sometimes we have to just care for ourselves in a way that no one else can. Like those times when we can't think of anything positive to contribute, just having a shower or bath or making yourself a lovely meal etc is enough. Even then if you can't find the motivation to do this, just do what you normally do and feel like crap. Breathe along with the feeling and let it be with you but continue as normally as possible. There are plenty of times I have a big cry while I'm washing the dishes or doing other jobs around the house and my kids ask me what is wrong. I tell them I'm having a sick day and when I'm sick I feel tired and cry a lot. And this is my greatest strength. They are seeing that life can continue through great hardship. I can only imagine the incredible adults they will be with the lessons they are learning from me. Loving kindness to you all. Keep sharing